Scaffolding apparatus

ABSTRACT

A scaffolding apparatus ( 10 ) and the like is for use on a building ( 12 ) during its construction. The scaffolding apparatus ( 10 ) comprises a plurality of fixing bracket members ( 20 ) each being adapted to be fixed to a corresponding one of a plurality of studs ( 11 ) or the like of the building ( 12 ) undergoing construction such that they extend substantially horizontally from the stud ( 11 ). The fixing bracket members ( 20 ) each have a bracket ( 22 ) which is adapted to be fixed to the stud ( 11 ) whereby each of the brackets ( 22 ) has a pair of angle flanges ( 24,25 ) aligned above and below respectively of the longitudinal axis of the fixing bracket member ( 20 ). The lower flange is adapted to be fixed abutting against the outwardly facing side ( 26 ) of the stud ( 11 ) and the upper angle flange ( 25 ) is adapted to be fixed abutting against the inwardly facing side ( 27 ) of the stud ( 11 ). The plurality of fixing bracket members ( 20 ) are arranged, when installed, to receive planks ( 39 ) or the like on top to provide a platform.

[0001] The present invention relates to scaffolding and, in particular, to a scaffolding apparatus which is used on studs of a building during construction thereof, the scaffolding apparatus being simple and easy to install and dismantle and providing a safe working environment to workers who are working on the building during its construction.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] A present practice in the building industry in respect of scaffolding for domestic buildings during construction thereof is to provide planks resting on timber beams which has been fixed, usually by nails or the like, to the studs and to provide relatively flimsy barriers on the edge of the planks if scaffolding is used at all. These timber beams are usually lengths of timber secured to the frame or formwork of the building, and in most case to the studs. The timber beams which are used as the scaffolding are generally discarded after construction of the building and therefore there is substantial waste of resources as well as the amount of time which is required to form the scaffolding in the first place.

[0003] Therefore it would be advantageous to provide a scaffolding apparatus and the like for use on a building during its construction and method of installation which provides a stable and safe working environment to builders and their workers. Such a scaffolding apparatus would provide an improvement to existing arrangements.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a scaffolding apparatus and the like for use on a building during its construction and method of installation which substantially overcomes or ameliorates the above mentioned disadvantages. At the very least, the object of the invention is to provide an alternative to known scaffolding arrangements.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a scaffolding apparatus and the like for use on a building during its construction, said scaffolding apparatus comprising a plurality of fixing bracket members each being adapted to be fixed to a corresponding one of a plurality of studs or the like of said building undergoing construction such that they extend substantially horizontally from said stud or the like, said fixing bracket members each having a bracket means being adapted to be fixed to the stud, each said bracket means having a pair of angle members aligned above and below respectively of the longitudinal axis of said fixing bracket member, the lower angle member being adapted to be fixed abutting against and extending along the longitudinal axis of the outwardly facing side of said stud with the upper angle member being adapted to be fixed abutting against and extending along the longitudinal axis of the inwardly facing side of the stud, wherein said plurality of fixing bracket members are arranged, when installed, to receive planks or the like on top to provide a platform.

[0006] Preferably, the fixing bracket members have at their free ends a stop means to prevent planks from falling off when in use. This stop means is preferably a barrier at the free ends.

[0007] Preferably, a guardrail support member is adapted to be fixed to the free end of the fixing bracket members such that a guardrail can be attached or fixed thereto.

[0008] Preferably a bracing member extends from the fixing bracket member to the lower angle member to provide greater support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention will be now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a scaffolding apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in position under the eaves of the building undergoing construction;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the bracket of FIG. 1 with a guardrail support member fixed to its free end;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a detailed side view showing a fixing pin of the scaffolding guardrail apparatus of FIG. 2;

[0013]FIG. 4 is an exploded detailed side view FIG. 3; and

[0014]FIG. 5 is front view looking at on FIG. 1.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0015] A scaffolding apparatus 10 of the preferred embodiment is shown attached to a stud 111 of a building 12 in the drawings. The building 12 is shown during its construction and therefore the wall stud 12 and roof rafters 13 are shown. Fascia 14 and eaves 15 are also shown as arranged during a phase of the construction of the building 12. The apparatus 10 is for use during the construction of the building 12 to provide a safe working environment on the side of the building to assist in the prevention of accidents. In particular, as seen in FIG. 2 the apparatus 10 is advantageously provided for the workers when working on the fascia 14 and eaves 15.

[0016] The apparatus 10 includes a number of fixing brackets members 20 as best seen in FIG. 5, with the other drawings showing only one of the members 20 for simplicity. The members 20 are preferably SHS and are adapted to extend horizontally from the outwardly facing side of the stud 11.

[0017] Each of the members 20 are adapted to be fixed to the stud 11 by a bracket 22 at its fixed end 23. The bracket 22 in the preferred embodiment has a pair of angle flange 24 and 25 which are adapted to be fixed to the stud 11 in an abutting relationship whereby the lower angle flange 24 abuts against the outwardly facing side 26 of the stud 11 while the upper angle flange 25 abuts against the inner facing side 27. As the members 24 and 24 are angle flanges, it is seen that the members extend along the longitudinal axis if the stud 11 to provide a substantially secure attachment thereto. Furthermore, as the members 24 and 25 are angle flanges, they also abut at least partially against the other two sides 28 and 29 of the studs 11 respectively. This provides a secure fixing arrangement with the bracket 22 abutting against all four sides of the stud 11.

[0018] The bracket 22 is preferably fixed to the stud by nails or roofing screws (not illustrated).

[0019] A lip 30 is provided at the free end 31 of the member 20 as a barrier. The use of the lip will be described later. A preferable feature of the apparatus 10 is that a guardrail support member 32 is adapted to be fixed to the free end 31 whereby it extends upwardly in a substantial vertical arrangement from the free end 31 to hold at its free end 32 a handrail 33 as seen in FIG. 3. The guardrail support member 32 is preferably made from an elongate SHS with a cradle 34 being located at its free end 32. The cradle 34 is preferably a angle section having the same dimensions of the SHS and the handrail 33 is preferably fixed to the cradle 34 by nails or roofing screws 35.

[0020] At the fixed end 36 of the guardrail support member 32, a fixing bracket 37 is arranged such that the fixing bracket 37 fits over the lip 30 of the member 20 whereby corresponding holes 38 in the member 20 and fixing bracket 37 are aligned to receive a pin (not illustrated) therethrough.

[0021] In use the apparatus 10 is installed onto the studs 11 by first installing the bracket 22 of each of the fixing bracket members 20 to at least some of the studs 11. The flanges 24 and 25 are positioned around the sides of the studs 15 with the bracket members extending horizontally in an outwards direction. Nails or screws are used to fix the brackets 22 to the studs 11.

[0022] One guardrail support member 32 is then fixed to the free end 31 of the member 20 as described above. Once the members 20 and 32 are installed in a parallel arrangement to at least some of the studs, timber planks 39 are placed on the parallel members 20 and handrails 33 are placed and fixed into the cradles 34 at the free ends of the support members 32 The lips 30 on the members 20 help hold the planks 39 in position

[0023] It is seen that once the apparatus 10 is installed in this way, the arrangement as described provides a secure and stable scaffolding and thereby provides a safe working environment. The apparatus 10 is also easily removed when it is no longer required.

[0024] The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present invention, and modifications obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. A scaffolding apparatus and the like for use on a building during its construction, said scaffolding apparatus comprising a plurality of fixing bracket members each being adapted to be fixed to a corresponding one of a plurality of studs or the like of said building undergoing construction such that they extend substantially horizontally from said stud or the like, said fixing bracket members each having a bracket means being adapted to be fixed to the stud, each said bracket means having a pair of angle members aligned above and below respectively of the longitudinal axis of said fixing bracket member, the lower angle member being adapted to be fixed abutting against and extending along the longitudinal axis of the outwardly facing side of said stud with the upper angle member being adapted to be fixed abutting against and extending along the longitudinal axis of the inwardly facing side of the stud, wherein said plurality of fixing bracket members are arranged, when installed, to receive planks or the like on top to provide a platform.
 2. The scaffolding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing bracket members have at their free ends a stop means to prevent planks from falling off when in use.
 3. The scaffolding apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a guardrail support member is adapted to be fixed to the free end of the fixing bracket members such that a guardrail can be attached or fixed thereto. 